The Prime Rib at Maryland Live Casino opened, quietly, a few weeks ago, six months after the casino's grand opening and 10 months after the surprise announcement that Buzz Beler's storied Baltimore steakhouse was joining the casino's lineup.

Operated, Beler has said, as a "joint venture" with the casino's developers, the Baltimore-based Cordish Cos., the new restaurant has been designed with respect for Prime Rib icons like leopard skin carpeting, black-leather booths and Icart prints. But the casino restaurant is not intended as museum replica.

"This is the 'Live' interpretation," said the casino's marketing director Mario Maesano. Notable features of the contemporary version of the classic steakhouse are the greatly increased bar and lounge area and an enclosed outdoor patio — a beauty — that will be used as a both a dining area and lounge.

The casino menu is a close, but not exact, copy of the Baltimore menu. There are a few additions, like an appetizer of artisanal cheese and charcuterie and a porterhouse steak entree, and a few trims — the casino has no escargots.

Also missing at the Prime Rib at Maryland Live is the Piney, but I've been told the signature pineapple-infused vodka concoction is on its way.

The Prime Rib at Maryland Live is at 7002 Arundel Mills Circle. For more information, call 443-445-2970 or go to marylandlivecasino.com/dining/the-prime-rib.

Christmas dining Our annual roundup of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is almost, but not quite, a repeat of last year.

Eichenkranz (611 Fagley St., 410-563-7577) will be open again on Christmas Day, from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. The German restaurant in Brewers Hill serves what may be the currently longest-running Christmas dinner in the Baltimore area.

Regi's (1002 Light St., 410-539-7344, regisamericanbistro.com) in Federal Hill is serving a Christmas Day brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sotto Sopra (405 N. Charles St., 410-625-0534, sottosoprainc.com) will be open from noon to 10 p.m.

Wit & Wisdom at the Four Seasons Baltimore Hotel is serving a $75 fixed-price, three-course menu from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Bistro 300 (300 Light St., 410-528-1234) at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore is serving a breakfast buffet from 6:30 a.m. to noon and a lunch/dinner buffet from noon to 8 p.m.

There are more options for Christmas Eve. Restaurants serving a traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes menu, along with their regular menus, on Christmas Eve include Aldo's (306 S. High St., 410-727-0700, aldositaly.com) ‎ and Aida Cafe & Wine Bar (6741 Columbia Gateway Drive, 410-953-0500, aidabistro.com) ‎in Columbia, which will be serving the seven fishes menu on Dec. 23 as well.

Again, one of the most intriguing holiday options this year is Towson's Havana Road (8 W. Pennsylvania Ave., 410-494-8222, havanaroad.com), which will be serving a traditional Cuban Christmas Eve feast, including a whole roasted pig.

Most of the restaurants open on Christmas Day are also open Christmas Eve. Also open are Caesar's Den (223 S. High St., 410-547-0820, caesarsden.com) in Little Italy, Ruth's Chris Steak Houses (serioussteaks.com) and Petit Louis (4800 Roland Ave., 410-366-9393) in Roland Park.

The Prime Rib at Maryland Live Casino opened, quietly, a few weeks ago, six months after the casino's grand opening and 10 months after the surprise announcement that Buzz Beler's storied Baltimore steakhouse was joining the casino's lineup. The new restaurant has been designed with respect for...

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